Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 48%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Port
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: The GlenAllachie Distillers Co Limited
Average price: € 70.00
Official website: theglenallachie.com
Vote: 83/100
When Billy Walker took over the running of The GlenAllachie, he immediately made it clear that he wanted to experiment (and play) with casks and finishings, and among the many thematic releases produced since then, here is a bottling from the Wood Finish triptych made in mid-2019, with finishings for the last few months in different casks.
Initial maturation in ex-bourbon casks divided into finishes in ex-Koval casks for the eight-year-old, ex-sherry PX casks for the twelve-year-old and ex-port ruby casks for this ten-year-old, all bottled at 48%ABV.
Tasting notes
The nose is a triumph of fruit, dried (figs, dates, sultanas, plums), candied (orange, cherry) and marmalade (blueberries), mixed with honey, toffee, a touch of fondant and a generous dusting of nutmeg. A decisive mineral vein runs through the aromas, dampening the decadence of the evocations thanks also to the appearance at length of vanilla and a slight lactic note.
On the palate, the liveliness of black pepper, nutmeg and cloves opens the door to the flavours, in which the fruit veers more towards red fruits (blueberries, currants), blood orange and grapefruit (also candied), with the roughness of leather and wood acting as support. Milk chocolate, coffee candy, honey and a pronounced mineral and vegetal vein complete the picture, along with a few slivers of almonds.
The finish is quite long and dry, where the mineral vein is joined by abundant spices with red fruits, citric notes and wood.
The long ageing (eighteen months) has left its mark, but the maturation would perhaps have required more time in general to be more harmonious and incisive, both initial and final, the sensation being that the ten years have been too short to acquire a defined and mature personality. That said, the drink flows smoothly, even rather drinkably, so you can’t really complain (too much).